High-tech and dry

Updated 11:23 pm, Friday, June 14, 2013

Just like you need sunscreen, your smartphones and tablets need protection for a day at the beach or pool.

Just like you need sunscreen, your smartphones and tablets need protection for a day at the beach or pool.

Photo: DryCASE

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BubbleShield provides a dual-zip enclosure for the smartphone or tablet.

BubbleShield provides a dual-zip enclosure for the smartphone or tablet.

Photo: BubbleShield

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The DryCASE for a smartphone is perfect for swimming or snorkeling.

The DryCASE for a smartphone is perfect for swimming or snorkeling.

Photo: DryCASE

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The DryCASE for a smartphone is great for swimming or snorkeling.

The DryCASE for a smartphone is great for swimming or snorkeling.

Photo: DryCASE

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BubbleShield provides a dual-zip enclosure for the smartphone or tablet.

BubbleShield provides a dual-zip enclosure for the smartphone or tablet.

Photo: BubbleShield

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Just like you need sunscreen, your smartphones and tablets need protection for a day at the beach or pool.

Just like you need sunscreen, your smartphones and tablets need protection for a day at the beach or pool.

Photo: DryCASE

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BubbleShield fits just about any size gadget.

BubbleShield fits just about any size gadget.

Photo: BubbleShield

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Sensor Dry Pocket has an integrated waterproof headphone jack.

Sensor Dry Pocket has an integrated waterproof headphone jack.

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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High-tech and dry

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Picture yourself snapping vacation photos while you wade through the surf, or enjoying a good e-book inside the pool. By themselves, smartphones and tablets are just a dunk or splash away from disaster. But with the right protection you can enjoy these touchscreen diversions in and even under water. Here are some waterproof cases and sleeves made for taking your tech in the wet.

DryCASE

($39.99 for smartphone and $59.99 for tablet, Dive World West)

DryCASE wraps your gadget in vacuum-sealed security that's waterproof to 100 feet, great for swimming and snorkeling or just the splashier parts of the theme park. Just deposit your device in the tear-resistant bag and shrink-wrap it with the included one-way deflation valve. DryCASE lets you take photos and access buttons, and comes with a waterproof stereo and microphone three-way jack. The smartphone DryCASE also has an armband for hands-free action.

E-Case eSeries

Lifestyle Channel

(from $24.95 for smartphones to $37.95 for tablets, cascadedesigns.com/e-case)

The eSeries cases offer complete functionality in a waterproof package. They can take a dunk in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes and rock clear audio and camera use thanks to a clear UV-resistant urethane window. They also come in multiple sizes for just about every smartphone or tablet, and sport die-cut lash points so you can tether that doodad as necessary.

The Sensor Dry Pocket has a covered back, so unless your touchscreen device has a front-facing camera feature you probably won't be taking pictures. You still get submersible, touch-sensitive protection, along with an integrated waterproof headphone jack as well as an attachment loop and removable webbed attachments.

BubbleShield

($19.95 per pack of three to five sleeves, the joyfactory.com)

The aptly named BubbleShield comes in various sizes to house just about any smartphone, e-reader or tablet. Its dual-zip enclosure should guard your gadget against spills and splashes, but the sleeve only protects against brief submersion. You still get complete device control, plus reinforced loops to hang it, hook it or tie it. And you can't beat extra sleeves for the price.

LifeProof

(frç for iPhone 5, $79.99; fre for iPad mini, $99.99; and nüüd for iPad, $129.99; Best Buy) LifeProof cases may be your more expensive Apple gadget protection, but it backs up the price with tough safeguards. The frç case for iPhone 5 should protect it against a 6.6-foot drop off a table or dunk in the water. On the iPad side, the frç for iPad mini and nüüd for iPad should save them from a 6.6-foot submersion and 4-foot drop.

Both styles of cases ward off dirt and dust as well as ice and snow. The fre cases also offer an anti-reflective optical-glass camera lens for sharp photos, while the nüüd includes a cover with fold-out stands and a gold-plated general use headphone adapter. Bonus: The frç for iPad mini includes a shoulder strap.